Valerie’s Taco Shop

I’ve been to this place three times now and haven’t tried anything other than the carne asada because it is so delicious. I’ve had it in a taco and as a plate. Their corn tortillas for their tacos are just so good. They are made with love and a little thicker than most other places. You only need one tortilla and it will not fall apart on you. I also highly advise getting the rice and beans. So good. Beans have a little bit of cheese on top and the rice. Always eat way too much because I just can’t stop eating. Highly suggest supporting this place. Their food is just as good with takeout which is not always the case. Super friendly too.

I would like to start off with saying I’ve lived in SoCal my whole life and as a first generation Latino It’s hard to for me to be impressed by mexican food since I get all the best mexican food cooked by mom or tias. This is actually a very authentic mexican food place. I was thrown off by the menu as it was all labeled in English but wow the food here is amazing and served just like it would in Mexico. The prices are amazing I got an order of rolled tacos and thought they were gonna be small but they were pretty big and the price for the order had 5 tacos!!! Also the aguas frescas we’re the best along with their salsa bar.

Stopped here for the first time today and YES, I’LL BE BACK. With this breakfast burrito They Did What Needed To Be Done. Great salsa bar, zanahorias, and super friendly and pleasant employees. I’m sad I didn’t get a credit card tip option but I’ll make up for it next time. Thanks folks!!!

Best Tacos in North County!!! My man Steve has done it again. 1st Valerie's mexican Food now Valerie's Taco stand!!! Home made corn tortillas on every taco!!!

The carne asada and grilled mahi tacos were great! Fairly large and filled to the brim; I was hungry but just two tacos filled me up. Ingredients were super fresh and the yellow corn tortillas had a handmade quality to them. Very tasty food for the price!

Love this place. Great Tacos! Lots of meat and flavor. These homemade corn tortillas are AWESOME! The watermelon agua is GREAT!

Our go to spot. Tortillas made in house. Large portions. This specific location is best tacos

Valarie’s is my go-to taco shop. The portions are large and flavorful. My favorite dish is the surf and turf nachos. If you are short on time, they take phone orders.

Best Mexican Food in Town!! I can't believe I waited this long to try it. Didn't read reviews just popped in. Amazing food. They know how to make great/authentic Mexican food. The flavors are spot on, the staff friendly and helpful, the ambiance could use a face-lift, but overall a solid 5 stars. I ordered the grilled shrimp taco (5 stars), carnitas taco (3.5 stars), and chicken tacos (5 stars).

The food was cooked very well and very quick, I cleaned my whole plate. I love the sauce station and their jamaica is very very tasty. 10/10 now my favorite place to go

We recently visited Valerie's Taco Stand and ordered their grilled shrimp burrito and I have to say, it was fantastic! The creamy sauce added a delicious richness that perfectly complemented the fresh shrimp. The rice was cooked just right, not too dry and not too liquidy, which is often hard to find. At $14 for a generous-sized burrito (after tips), I felt it was a great value for the quality of food. I left feeling satisfied and definitely plan to return for more. Highly recommend checking it out if you're in the area!

Mmmmmm😋 these tacos are authentic and actually so amazing for the price!! People inside are Awsome aswell

Great food, great service, and EXCELLENT salsas. If you are a lover of spicy salsa this place is IT. Their red salsa was super flavorful and spicy we loved it. We ordered 3 tacos and 1 burrito (i added rice) and they were very tasty😋 10/10 would come back again

Coming from a San Diego native I have high standards of Mexican taco shop and this place is my new favorite!!!!!!!!!!!! Cali tacos!?&&#%!??? OMG!!!! Pastor on the rotary w pineapple on top, HOLD IT HOLD IT…..TJ HOT DOG!!!! 6 types of salsa!! WHAT!!!!!?!?!? Must have it gotta have it all spent $36 for my wife and I we are pigging out lol

Just hopped off a flight and needed some food but didn’t want fast food or a chain. This place delivered on every front. The service was polite and quick. The tacos were tasty and fresh and NICELY portioned (I got carnitas and added pickled onions from the salsa bar). The horchata was flavorful and refreshing. 100% going to be a regular to-go for me from now on.

Wow. Ridiculous. The chicken tacos are ridiculous! This place is a chain, but I like this location the best of the ones I’ve tried. The others are taco “shop”, this one is taco “stand”. The chicken tacos are an out of body experience for me. Maybe I’m exaggerating a little, but they are goooood! Highly recommended.

Yummy. Best food. I love the cali taco combo. I'd say beware of the orange creamy salsa. It is fire in your mouth. If you like that, go for it. Its good, just too hot for me. The green avocado looking one is amazing.

One of the best burritos I've had in my life! California burrito is the best although I heard the surf & turf is even better. Good food even better people!

Cool little place with really good food. Clean, friendly, and I love the fresh horchata right up front. Their kitchen is open concept and you can really smell the delicious food being made right when you walk up. Highly reccomended.

The food here is amazing! Their carne asada tacos have refried beans. The place is new, clean. They have a salsa bar with 6 different salsas are were awesome tasting. They also have jalapeños, lemons, radishes and spicy carrots. Great place to sit and enjoy lunch or dinner or just take out and enjoy elsewhere.

In San Diego, very good Mexican food is standard. Valerie's is a step up. Everything is just better. Had ceviche and a carne asada burrito. Best hole in the wall Mexican we've had in memory. Kind of a dump but with food this good, who cares, right?

Great food! Nice chill atmosphere! Very nice cashier lady! The only negative side is that looks like we were overcharged (which noticed only back home). 1 burrito, 2 tacos, chips, super small rice & beans = approx $43. Besides that - it was very tasty & nice. Will go there again 👍

Delicious! From the tacos to the burritos. Dropped in here on the way down from L.A and was pleasantly surprised. Great, fresh food for a reasonable price.

The tortillas were fresh and soft and all the meats we got were succulent and delicious. The al pastor in particular has an amazing charred crisp. A variety of homemade salsas made every bite a different but equally delicious experience.

Their carnitas street tacos have changed my life. This is some ridiculously good food, great portion sizes, and their horchata is freaking AMAZING.

For a taco stand, I’m giving 5 stars. It’s not a restaurant so don’t have those aspirations going in. I ordered to go for my family. It was recommended. The food was good. The prices are cheap and the food portions are big! 1 taco is enough! I could eat two but my stomach would be uncomfortable. I personally ordered the Cali Tacos for myself. The fries could have been seasoned, but other than that, I really enjoyed my taco. What I ordered for my family is Rolled Tacos shredded chicken with carne Asada on top. Fried Mahi Tacos, one with the cabbage on top and one order without it. We all enjoyed our meals. We look forward to coming back to try the breakfast items that everyone keeps raving about in the reviews!

First time coming here. We stopped in after a movie...pretty late, around 9pm on a Saturday night (and Mexican Independence Day no less). It was not busy. Parking was easy, but it took a couple of minutes to get serviced as the person on-duty was busy filling up the salsa bar. We ordered the 5 rolled tacos, Cali and Bean & Cheese Burrito, Diablo and an El Hefe taco. Service was pretty quick, and we got to check out their salsa bar - which, I must say, was quite impressive. I noticed a lot of other quick Mexican food places don't have a salsa bar, or lost it during covid, so it was nice to see so many options here. This is a huge plus in my book. Everything was excellent. The fries in the Cali burrito were actually crispy, not soggy. The rolled tacos came with carne asada on top! What!? This is so unusual but really awesome, and for only $8. My tacos were great, I could hardly finish them. I was bummed they were out of the Chicharron Tacos but next time that's first on my list.

So delicious. I highly recommend. They also had such delicious salsa. I had heartburn after but it was honestly, so so worth it. Probably the best fish tacos I have ever had and my son loved the shrimp burrito

Steph Castillo Martinez

Delicious! From the tacos to the burritos. Dropped in here on the way down from L.A and was pleasantly surprised. Great, fresh food for a reasonable price.

N

Great food! Nice chill atmosphere! Very nice cashier lady! The only negative side is that looks like we were overcharged (which noticed only back home). 1 burrito, 2 tacos, chips, super small rice & beans = approx $43. Besides that - it was very tasty & nice. Will go there again 👍

Elise Kim

The tortillas were fresh and soft and all the meats we got were succulent and delicious. The al pastor in particular has an amazing charred crisp. A variety of homemade salsas made every bite a different but equally delicious experience.

Micaela El Fattal

So delicious. I highly recommend. They also had such delicious salsa. I had heartburn after but it was honestly, so so worth it. Probably the best fish tacos I have ever had and my son loved the shrimp burrito

Ash

Their carnitas street tacos have changed my life. This is some ridiculously good food, great portion sizes, and their horchata is freaking AMAZING.

Lawrence Bailey

For a taco stand, I’m giving 5 stars. It’s not a restaurant so don’t have those aspirations going in. I ordered to go for my family. It was recommended. The food was good. The prices are cheap and the food portions are big! 1 taco is enough! I could eat two but my stomach would be uncomfortable. I personally ordered the Cali Tacos for myself. The fries could have been seasoned, but other than that, I really enjoyed my taco. What I ordered for my family is Rolled Tacos shredded chicken with carne Asada on top. Fried Mahi Tacos, one with the cabbage on top and one order without it. We all enjoyed our meals. We look forward to coming back to try the breakfast items that everyone keeps raving about in the reviews!

Erich Cervantez

First time coming here. We stopped in after a movie...pretty late, around 9pm on a Saturday night (and Mexican Independence Day no less). It was not busy. Parking was easy, but it took a couple of minutes to get serviced as the person on-duty was busy filling up the salsa bar. We ordered the 5 rolled tacos, Cali and Bean & Cheese Burrito, Diablo and an El Hefe taco. Service was pretty quick, and we got to check out their salsa bar - which, I must say, was quite impressive. I noticed a lot of other quick Mexican food places don't have a salsa bar, or lost it during covid, so it was nice to see so many options here. This is a huge plus in my book. Everything was excellent. The fries in the Cali burrito were actually crispy, not soggy. The rolled tacos came with carne asada on top! What!? This is so unusual but really awesome, and for only $8. My tacos were great, I could hardly finish them. I was bummed they were out of the Chicharron Tacos but next time that's first on my list.

Daisy

Great food, great service, and EXCELLENT salsas. If you are a lover of spicy salsa this place is IT. Their red salsa was super flavorful and spicy we loved it. We ordered 3 tacos and 1 burrito (i added rice) and they were very tasty😋 10/10 would come back again

Caleb Wilborn

Coming from a San Diego native I have high standards of Mexican taco shop and this place is my new favorite!!!!!!!!!!!! Cali tacos!?&&#%!??? OMG!!!! Pastor on the rotary w pineapple on top, HOLD IT HOLD IT…..TJ HOT DOG!!!! 6 types of salsa!! WHAT!!!!!?!?!? Must have it gotta have it all spent $36 for my wife and I we are pigging out lol

Molly Bower

Just hopped off a flight and needed some food but didn’t want fast food or a chain. This place delivered on every front. The service was polite and quick. The tacos were tasty and fresh and NICELY portioned (I got carnitas and added pickled onions from the salsa bar). The horchata was flavorful and refreshing. 100% going to be a regular to-go for me from now on.

Zack Aaron

Wow. Ridiculous. The chicken tacos are ridiculous! This place is a chain, but I like this location the best of the ones I’ve tried. The others are taco “shop”, this one is taco “stand”. The chicken tacos are an out of body experience for me. Maybe I’m exaggerating a little, but they are goooood! Highly recommended.

Kelly Hernandez

Yummy. Best food. I love the cali taco combo. I'd say beware of the orange creamy salsa. It is fire in your mouth. If you like that, go for it. Its good, just too hot for me. The green avocado looking one is amazing.

Jeremiah Lin

One of the best burritos I've had in my life! California burrito is the best although I heard the surf & turf is even better. Good food even better people!

Cade Lusk

Cool little place with really good food. Clean, friendly, and I love the fresh horchata right up front. Their kitchen is open concept and you can really smell the delicious food being made right when you walk up. Highly reccomended.

ms bella

The food here is amazing! Their carne asada tacos have refried beans. The place is new, clean. They have a salsa bar with 6 different salsas are were awesome tasting. They also have jalapeños, lemons, radishes and spicy carrots. Great place to sit and enjoy lunch or dinner or just take out and enjoy elsewhere.

Chris Rowan

In San Diego, very good Mexican food is standard. Valerie's is a step up. Everything is just better. Had ceviche and a carne asada burrito. Best hole in the wall Mexican we've had in memory. Kind of a dump but with food this good, who cares, right?

I’m an extreme taco lover and have been in and out of Mexico, raised near LA, and Hands down Valerie’s had the best tacos anywhere. The freshly made tortillas and well marinated meats really do the trick.

Best California burrito in north county and I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve had here. Prices are reasonable. Salsa bar salsa options are great. Don’t mistake this one for other Valerie’s. This one is the best.

Steve Clark

Best California burrito in north county and I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve had here. Prices are reasonable. Salsa bar salsa options are great. Don’t mistake this one for other Valerie’s. This one is the best.

Atomm Sol

I’m an extreme taco lover and have been in and out of Mexico, raised near LA, and Hands down Valerie’s had the best tacos anywhere. The freshly made tortillas and well marinated meats really do the trick.

It's not bad at all. Tacos are big. Homemade sauce

Food was good and their fries el pastor was the bomb. Agua Fresca is delicious. Like us on Instagram @CuicineMe

Bought a California Burrito. I'm pretty picky about California Burritos. Of all the Mexican restaurants I've bought a Cali Burrito, this is only the 2nd restaurant I've found that I like. The staff was very friendly. I ordered to go, I wasn't fully paying attention when they were trying to tell me it was ready and they were being professional getting my attention.

Great food with generous portions at a good price. Different style tacos and other Mexican food than at many usual taco places. The food is well made and tastes fantastic. The seating is limited and a little awkward layout. We eat here every time we go to Oceanside.

This used to be my go-to taco shop but the quality has been going downhill as the prices keep going up. Decided to write a review after my latest visit. I went for a breakfast burrito, the bacon was old and hard, overcooked as if it had been sitting on the grill, the cheese is now super greasy. The eggs seemed like it was a mix of real and egg substitute. I was dining in and asked for a can of Coke Zero. When the lady rang me up, 3.50 cents! Who charges 3.50 for a can of Coke??? And their fountain machine has been broken for years. That's madness. I never understood trying to price gouge your customers like that. I'm all for markup for profit, but damn.

Ordered the pollo asado quesadilla. Definitely don’t recommend. Absolutely soaked with grease and the chicken was gross. Go to Albertacos instead.

Way overpriced. Refried beans were dry, and fries were hard. A drink and burrito shouldn't cost $20. Only gave 2 stars because of the homemade tortillas.

I cannot say anything about the food because I didn’t even tried it, the person attending was so rude when we drove by the drive trough, we ask for some carne Azada fries, we were about to order way more food but because of this man attitude we decided not to buy at this place.. hopefully manager of this places sees this, and talks to this guy, don’t know his name but I’ll post a pic.. He need to work on his customer service. By the way I asked for his manager and he said he was alone and that’s why he was giving us that attitude.. To me that’s not a reason to treat customer, if he didn’t has people that’s not customers issue, plus the issue was not the time taking but the way he spoke to us… I know and understand that it takes time to make food and more if he was alone but the way he was taking our order in a really bad way, made us not want to buy here and will not be coming back… ***Muy mal servicio al cliente en el señor del drive through, por la manera en la que nos ablo decidimos mejor no comprar y no volver aquí***

I order a California burrito the fries where fried so hard I kept poking the roof of my mouth, on top of that a long black piece of hair after trying to deal with the third bite. I enjoy the ones tho.

While waiting for my order, I witnessed one of the employees chopping meat. While chopping the meat, he accidentally dropped a chunk of it in the trashcan at the station he was working at. He looked around and then pick the meat up out of the trash and put it back in the pan. Disgusting! 04/03/25. I decided to give them a second chance since I frequent their other location on Emerald regularly and have been super satisfied with them. I visited the El Camino location twice for breakfast burritos. The first time was awesome. The second time, I found two hairs in my burrito. I just let the first one go, as this happens more than we probably know. After finding the second one, I went in and showed it to the representative and told her she should be wearing a hair net. She also works the register and then goes to the grill to prep food. I never see her wash her hands after performing a transaction before cooking the food.

7tosand

While waiting for my order, I witnessed one of the employees chopping meat. While chopping the meat, he accidentally dropped a chunk of it in the trashcan at the station he was working at. He looked around and then pick the meat up out of the trash and put it back in the pan. Disgusting! 04/03/25. I decided to give them a second chance since I frequent their other location on Emerald regularly and have been super satisfied with them. I visited the El Camino location twice for breakfast burritos. The first time was awesome. The second time, I found two hairs in my burrito. I just let the first one go, as this happens more than we probably know. After finding the second one, I went in and showed it to the representative and told her she should be wearing a hair net. She also works the register and then goes to the grill to prep food. I never see her wash her hands after performing a transaction before cooking the food.

Pree Perkins

I order a California burrito the fries where fried so hard I kept poking the roof of my mouth, on top of that a long black piece of hair after trying to deal with the third bite. I enjoy the ones tho.